The Imperial City, Cuzco.
The oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent, Cuzco is an old gem. It was the capital of the Inca empire and the main square, Plaza de Armas, has excisted for centuries. Legend has it that the first Inca, Manco Capac, by order of the sun god was to find the navel of the earth and so began Cuzco. Luckily it doesn't smell wierd or have any belly button fluff in it! Instead the cobble-stone streets are bustling, mostly with tourists. The city feels like a holiday destination with a mix of western needs and Peruvian delights. Pubs and fast-food restaurants sit discreetly beside local cafes and traditional artisan stores. So whether its a 'Big-Mac', a pint of Guinness, a cup of traditional coca tea or a tender alpaca steak, Cuzco can deliver in style. The bright Cuzco flag is flown proudly all over the city but is not to be confused with another 'pride' flag with unmistakable similarities! At 3300m the steep old streets are a good practice for Peru's biggest draw card, and our next point of call, the spectacular archaeological site of Machu Picchu.
